School Nutrition Association - February 2013

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2013-01-29 00:53:33

GCNF
Where Dreamers Meet Achievers
Come celebrate the champions of child nutrition next month at the annual A Possible Dream Gala. This fundraiser supports the efforts of SNA’s Global Child Nutrition Foundation (GCNF) and has become a hallmark event during the Association’s Legislative Action Conference (LAC) in Washington, D.C. The Gala will be held Monday, March 4, 2013, at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center; reservations are required.
Each year, at the Gala, GCNF honors a notable advocate in child hunger relief with the Gene White Lifetime Achievement Award of Child Nutrition. This year, Arlene Mitchell, currently of the Gates Foundation and formerly of the World Food Programme and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), has earned that distinction. Sherri Knutson, SNS, the 2012 SNA Outstanding Director of the Year, and Barbara Jirka, PhD, SNS, the 2012 Industry Member of the Year, also will be recognized at the event.
Join supporters of GCNF’s critical mission, providing technical assistance to developing countries working to create and sustain school feeding programs. You will have the opportunity to connect with leaders from SNA, the U.S. Congress, USDA and other key federal agencies and allied organizations during what promises to be an electric evening. To purchase seats or sponsor tables, contact GCNF Senior Project Manager Erica Davies at (800) 877-8822 or edavies@schoolnutrition.org. And it’s not too late to register for LAC! Visit www.schoolnutrition.org/lac to learn more.
Publications
Updated Resource Offers Big Value
School nutrition is a highly complex foodservice segment, and it’s more than a little challenging for anyone new to this profession or industry to get up to speed quickly. SNA’s Little Big Fact Book: The Essential Guide to School Nutrition can help.
This comprehensive overview features facts and figures about the federal programs, USDA Foods, the school market and a variety of hot topics. And the 2013 edition has been developed to reflect the latest at-press-time changes. From the implications of new nutrition standards to the variations in school district administration, this 40-page resource is a must-have for foodservice brokers, manufacturer marketing/sales teams, new foodservice directors/ managers, school administrators, state/national legislators and media representatives.
The latest edition will be released in a few short weeks, but if you order online today, you can purchase your copy at a special pre-release discount price of just $15! This limited-time offer is good only until March 4. Visit www.schoolnutrition.org/bookstore to place your web order today.
ANC 2013
Posters of Progress
Have you launched an innovative nutrition education program or found success in a recent marketing initiative? It’s time to show off your achievements, and one of the best ways to do this is by participating in the Child Nutrition Showcase, held during SNA’s Annual National Conference (ANC). Each year, this “poster” display features descriptions of notable best practices and research projects in school foodservice and nutrition.
One of the highlights of ANC is discovering ideas and programs that have been successful for your peers in other schools and districts. From menu changes to customer service techniques to efficient food safety practices and much more, Child Nutrition Showcase posters are a great resource of ideas at work.
The call for posters is open to anyone interested in presenting a display at ANC 2013 in Kansas City, Mo., this summer. For more information or to submit your proposal, visit www.schoolnutrition.org/anc before the deadline: March 15, 2013.
STEPS Challenge
Are You Taking STEPS for Health?
Since SNA and Jennie-O Turkey Store launched the STEPS Challenge program six months ago, more than 2,500 SNA members have taken STEPS along a path to a healthier lifestyle—are you one of them? This wellness initiative developed specifically for school nutrition professionals is going strong, calling on SNA members to make simple changes in their lives each month.
From adding an extra serving of fruits and veggies to your daily diet to moving a little bit more every day, STEPS is designed to help you establish your own personal wellness goal(s), supported by monthly challenges that point you in the right direction. Challenge participants are eligible to win a monthly prize, such as fitness DVDs, magazine subscriptions and gift cards. This month, aim for whole grain! Increasing your consumption of whole grains with simple swaps, such as switching to whole-wheat toast in the morning, snacking on whole-wheat crackers during the day or choosing brown rice instead of white for dinner.
Download a tracking sheet at www.schoolnutrition.org/steps; once you’ve earned 50 points, e-mail your tracking sheet to steps@schoolnutrition.org or fax it to 301-686-3115. You just might win a pedometer and a copy of Ali Vincent’s inspirational book, Believe It, Be It!
And this month, STEPS participants have another chance to be a lucky winner! Check your e-mail inbox for the STEPS Challenge survey. When you complete it with your feedback about the program, you will be entered to win an all-expenses-paid trip for two to attend the finale taping of NBC’s “The Biggest Loser.” For details and official rules, don’t wait! Visit www.schoolnutrition.org/steps today.
Procurement Toolkit
Tools of the Trade
Are you looking for ways to create better efficiencies in your procurement process? Do you truly understand all the complexities of purchasing food, beverages, supplies, technology and equipment in a K-12 school nutrition operation? If someone uses terms like “cost-plus-fixed-fee” or “standards of identity” or “FOB destination,” do you feel like you need a translator?
SNA’s new online School Nutrition Procurement Toolkit offers practical solutions and guidance on many aspects of operating a successful K-12 foodservice operation. Created to be Your Key to Running a More Efficient Program,” it will help you establish annual purchasing goals and objectives; develop menus; determine pre-bid questions; and evaluate operational efficiencies.
While developed as a particularly valuable resource for new school nutrition program directors and those in small- to medium-sized districts, seasoned directors and those in larger districts may find components of the toolkit helpful, as well. Tools and templates are included in four key areas and are designed to be customized with your specific program information, downloaded and saved to your computer.w
The toolkit will assist you with Goal Planning, Menu Development, Procurement and Assessment. An extensive glossary of more than 170 terms is also included, as are links to numerous external resources. SNA members are encouraged to check out this exclusive member benefit at http://procurement.schoolnutrition.org.
SNA Meetings & Events
MARCH 3-6, 2013
Legislative Action Conference
Washington, D.C.
MARCH 4-8, 2013
National School Breakfast Week
APRIL 1-30, 2013
Global Child Nutrition Month
APRIL 18-20, 2013
National Leadership Conference
Savannah, Ga.
MAY 6-10, 2013
School Nutrition Employee Week
JULY 14-17, 2013
Annual National Conference
Kansas City, Mo.
OCTOBER 14-18, 2013
National School Lunch Week
JANUARY 12-14, 2014
Child Nutrition Industry Conference
Miami, Fla.